MINUTES

WOODLOT COMMITTEE

November 14, 2006

A meeting was held at the County Building at 9:00 a.m. on the above date.

Present

Chair Wm. Bilton, Warden Jim Burns.  Member:  B. MacDougall. Also present were Deputy-Secretary-Treasurer M. Pauschenwein, Planner W. Nywening and Woodlot Inspector C. Nauta.

Absent

                 None.

Application W-007/06                                   Enbridge a/f Ken and Dorothy Smith

                                                                                     Concession 8, E ¼ Lot 19

                                                                                     1191 Rokeby Line

Township of St. Clair

The location of the trees that are the subject of this application is Concession 8, E ¼ Lot 19, Township of St. Clair, municipally known as 1191 Rokeby Line. The owners have applied for an exemption from the provisions of By-law 45 of 2003 of the County of Lambton, being “a by-law to prohibit or regulate the destruction or injuring of trees” in respect to a woodlot which is located on the property noted above.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the owners of this property, have granted Enbridge the authority to make this application on their behalf. Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. is planning to expand its Tecumseh Road storage facilities by constructing a new maintenance shed on lands to be acquired in Lot 19, Concession 8 in the geographic Township of Moore, Township of St. Clair, just north of its current plant site. There is insufficient space between the Laur Municipal Drain and to the woodlot to construct the proposed structure entirely outside the woodlot. The required space, if it is entirely contained within the woodlot, is approximately 183’ x 220’ (.92 acres). The second project to construct an office building is only speculation at this time. However, Enbridge requested that it be included in the assessment of any impact that tree cutting, stump removal and construction in this woodlot might have.

Attending the meeting were Brad Pilon and Terry Chupa both of Enbridge. Also attending were neighbours to the west Bill and Betty Watson.

Mr. Pilon stated that Enbridge wishes to build a maintenance shop on the south end of this property which is woodlot. Also, a future office building is proposed which will also need to have woodlot removed for the construction.

The removal of woodlot for both buildings is part of this application. Enbridge has contacted Donald Craig of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority to come and look at the property and to see if the woodlot removal would have any negative impacts on the property. Mr. Craig stated in his report that the diversity of the woodlot is good.

The Woodlot Inspector read her report which stated that Enbridge will be required to ensure that the woodlot application mapping and the rezoning mapping are consistent in nature. She recommends that the Committee accept Donald Craig’s report and utilize its content for compliance with any agreements that are entered between the County of Lambton and the applicants. She is also requesting that a 2:1 planting ratio be required.

Mr. Watson stated that he has no problem with the application. He owns property to the west and the application will have no impact on his property. He also stated that he has had business with Enbridge in the past and has had no issues. Enbridge has been a good neighbour.

#1: MacDougall/Burns: That Land Division Committee make recommendation to County Council that Woodlot Application W-007/06 be approved with the following conditions:

1)                 That the applicant enter into an agreement with the County of Lambton for the replanting on a 2:1 in area ratio.

2)                 That the report submitted by Donald Craig, RPF be approved and used to meet requirements of replanting within all agreements entered.

3)                 That the trees removed be utilized for lumber or firewood stock; bulldozing and burning of the trees will not be permitted.

4)                 That notification of 2 working days be given to the Woodlot Inspector prior to the commencement of the removal process.

5)                 That the woodlot application mapping and the rezoning mapping reflect each other and are consistent in nature and confirmed by this department and St. Clair Township, collectively.

6)                 That no trees be removed until site plan approval has been granted by the Township of St. Clair and the agreement with the County of Lambton is signed. It should be noted that if site plan approval is not granted, the Land Division Woodlot Exemption decision will be recommended to be revoked by the Woodlot Inspector.

Carried.

Adjournment

The Chair declared the meeting adjourned sine die.

Time: 10:00 a.m.

William Bilton

Chair

Madeline Pauschenwein

Deputy-Secretary-Treasurer